11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
[G05-P10] Bottom-up disaster prevention activities in Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark using the Disaster Prevention Education Challenge Plan
Keywords:Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark, Disaster Prevention Education Challenge Plan, Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama
The Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark, located in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture, has been promoting community study and disaster prevention study as activities to learn about the land of the Japanese Archipelago. In lectures given to schools and local residents, the history of the formation of the Japanese archipelago and the blessings and disasters brought about by the land are explained, and the inseparable link between these benefits and disasters received is shown.
In FY2021, the Itoigawa Geopark Council was selected as a practicing organization for the Disaster Prevention Education Challenge Plan sponsored by the Cabinet Office of Japan. The theme is "Learn! Enjoy! Prepare! the Active Volcano Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama Project: Bottom-up Practice of Disaster Prevention Education.” Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama is one of the 50 volcanoes under continual observation by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The goal of this disaster prevention education challenge plan is to learn about and enjoy the active volcano, Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama, while preparing for the possibility of future disasters. We reported on our bottom-up disaster prevention activities with many people including local schools, local residents, university researchers, people involved in Geoparks in other regions, the meteorological observatory, firefighters, and mountaineering groups.
As an activity to know about, enjoy, and prepare for Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama in schools, we conducted a disaster prevention study of Niigata-Yakeyama at Itoigawa Hakurei High School. In the first session, students were asked what they wanted to know about Niigata-Yakeyama in the form of a workshop, and efforts were made to create an opportunity for spontaneous learning that was not imposed by the organizer. Next, with the interest of the students in mind, we conducted a lecture at the high school. Taking advantage of the Geopark Network, we asked university instructors who are studying Niigata-Yakeyama as well as experts from Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark and Toya-Usu Geopark, which have similar active volcanoes, to give lectures. This was achieved by using the high school's ICT facilities and lectures using the Zoom platform. The results of the study were presented at the "International Exchange Meeting for High School Students" (hosted by Muroto High School in Kochi Prefecture) held in February.
As an activity to know and enjoy Niigata-Yakeyama in the community, we exchanged opinions with residents of Yunokawachi, a hamlet located at the foot of Niigata-Yakeyama, to discuss the contents of the activity. In November, we held a geo-tour to learn about Niigata-Yakeyama, focusing not on the rocks and outcrops, but on the people living in the area who are affected by the disasters and receive blessings of the volcano. Due to inclement weather, we had to make some changes to the tour, but we were able to experience some aspects of the lives of people living with Niigata-Yakeyama. In addition, as an activity to prepare for the Niigata-Yakeyama disaster, a detailed disaster prevention study was conducted for each hamlet at the foot of the mountain in the Hayakawa Valley. We discussed with each participant the evacuation plan in case of an actual eruption, using the printed hazard map and a map of the hamlet. The opinions expressed at this time were conveyed to the Disaster Prevention Division of the city.
In this way, we were able to promote bottom-up disaster prevention activities related to Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama by utilizing the Challenge Plan for Disaster Prevention Education. It takes a lot of effort and time to promote such activities while listening to the opinions of local residents and students. However, considering the importance of resilience, we would like to continue to promote bottom-up disaster prevention activities because resilience is not something that is imposed by the government or researchers, but something that is nurtured and improved through the lives and relationships of local residents.
In FY2021, the Itoigawa Geopark Council was selected as a practicing organization for the Disaster Prevention Education Challenge Plan sponsored by the Cabinet Office of Japan. The theme is "Learn! Enjoy! Prepare! the Active Volcano Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama Project: Bottom-up Practice of Disaster Prevention Education.” Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama is one of the 50 volcanoes under continual observation by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The goal of this disaster prevention education challenge plan is to learn about and enjoy the active volcano, Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama, while preparing for the possibility of future disasters. We reported on our bottom-up disaster prevention activities with many people including local schools, local residents, university researchers, people involved in Geoparks in other regions, the meteorological observatory, firefighters, and mountaineering groups.
As an activity to know about, enjoy, and prepare for Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama in schools, we conducted a disaster prevention study of Niigata-Yakeyama at Itoigawa Hakurei High School. In the first session, students were asked what they wanted to know about Niigata-Yakeyama in the form of a workshop, and efforts were made to create an opportunity for spontaneous learning that was not imposed by the organizer. Next, with the interest of the students in mind, we conducted a lecture at the high school. Taking advantage of the Geopark Network, we asked university instructors who are studying Niigata-Yakeyama as well as experts from Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark and Toya-Usu Geopark, which have similar active volcanoes, to give lectures. This was achieved by using the high school's ICT facilities and lectures using the Zoom platform. The results of the study were presented at the "International Exchange Meeting for High School Students" (hosted by Muroto High School in Kochi Prefecture) held in February.
As an activity to know and enjoy Niigata-Yakeyama in the community, we exchanged opinions with residents of Yunokawachi, a hamlet located at the foot of Niigata-Yakeyama, to discuss the contents of the activity. In November, we held a geo-tour to learn about Niigata-Yakeyama, focusing not on the rocks and outcrops, but on the people living in the area who are affected by the disasters and receive blessings of the volcano. Due to inclement weather, we had to make some changes to the tour, but we were able to experience some aspects of the lives of people living with Niigata-Yakeyama. In addition, as an activity to prepare for the Niigata-Yakeyama disaster, a detailed disaster prevention study was conducted for each hamlet at the foot of the mountain in the Hayakawa Valley. We discussed with each participant the evacuation plan in case of an actual eruption, using the printed hazard map and a map of the hamlet. The opinions expressed at this time were conveyed to the Disaster Prevention Division of the city.
In this way, we were able to promote bottom-up disaster prevention activities related to Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama by utilizing the Challenge Plan for Disaster Prevention Education. It takes a lot of effort and time to promote such activities while listening to the opinions of local residents and students. However, considering the importance of resilience, we would like to continue to promote bottom-up disaster prevention activities because resilience is not something that is imposed by the government or researchers, but something that is nurtured and improved through the lives and relationships of local residents.